8 Benefits of Yoga
No
other exercise program is as enduring as yoga. It's been around
for more than 5,000 years. Yoga does a lot more than burning calories and
toning muscles. It's a complete mind-body workout that combines poses with deep
breathing and meditation or relaxation. There are more than 100
different forms of yoga. Some are fast-paced and intense. Others are gentle and
relaxing. Here are some of the most important yoga health benefits.
1.
Emotional
Health Boost
All exercise
has been shown to help people with depression feel better, and yoga is no
exception. Recent studies suggested that yoga could benefit those living
with depression, schizophrenia, other psychiatric conditions, and sleep
problems. Practicing in a group setting, such as a yoga class, stimulates the
production of oxytocin, the love and bonding hormone. Practicing
mindfulness through yoga and meditation also results in
higher serotonin levels, and long-term practitioners have shown more
mass in the areas of the brain associated with contentment.
2.
Enhanced
Circulation
One of the
most important things that yoga does is improving the circulation of
blood. This means better transportation of oxygen and nutrients throughout the
body. As a result, improved blood flow also indicates healthier organs and
glowing skin.
3.
Improves
Flexibility
Moving and
stretching in new ways will help you become more flexible, bringing
greater range of motion to tight areas. Over time, you can expect to gain
flexibility in your back, shoulders, and hips. As we age, our flexibility decreases
especially if you spend a lot of time sitting and this leads to pain and
immobility. Yoga can help reverse this process.
4.
Improves
Your Strength
Yoga isn’t
just about stretching and bending - it also requires a surprising amount of
strength. Physical strength is important in order to prevent injury, boost the
immune system and metabolism and help make everyday tasks easier.
5.
Back Pain
Treatment
Various
studies have found yoga to be a more effective treatment for chronic back pain
than usual care. Actually, people living with chronic lower back pain reported
better back function, though similar levels of pain, after a few months of
practicing yoga. In another study of 80 individuals with chronic lower back
pain, the group that participated in just one week of yoga showed less
disability and greater flexibility than patients who completed other physical
exercises. Even if you don't have chronic pain, yoga's stretching exercises
can improve your flexibility in general.
6.
Lowers
Blood Pressure
When you
practice yoga regularly, the blood circulation in the body is enhanced. This
also allows oxygenation in the body. There is a huge reduction in blood
pressure as the body calms down.
7.
Boosts Your
Immune System
Any form of
movement is great for keeping the immune system healthy. With yoga, the body is
able to spend more time within the parasympathetic nervous system
(rest and digest) and less with the sympathetic nervous system (the
fight or flight system).
8.
Fertility
Aid
In recent
years, couples have increasingly turned to yoga because of decreasing
stressand increasing their chances of conceiving a child. And though there are several
studies that indicate that yoga benefits include enhancing fertility, it
has been shown to reduce stress and could play a significant role. Yoga can
help with infertility in a variety of ways. It allows the mother-to-be to
relax, de-stress, and opens up energetic channels, thereby improving chances of
conception. Yoga may also allow for better blood flow to reproductive organs,
improving organ function and improving hormone function.
Before you
start a new exercise program, be sure to check with your
doctor. Researchers are also studying if yoga can help people with arthritis,
and improve survival from cancer. Yoga may help bring calm and mindfulness to
your busy life and make you feel more relaxed than ever before!
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